Electrocardiogram screening for sudden cardiac death prevention in athletes has growing evidence, though concerns regarding false-positives, cost-effectiveness, and healthcare resources remain.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death in young athletes on the playing field and typically the result of undiagnosed structural or electrical cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular screening in athletes is routinely practiced and endorsed by most major sporting and medical associations, but universal agreement on a single screening strategy to identify athletes at risk for SCD remains a topic of tremendous debate. The pool of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of electrocardiogram (ECG) screening for athletes is growing. However, feasibility and practical concerns regarding false-positive results, cost-effectiveness, physician infrastructure, and health care resources for large-scale implementation of ECG screening still exist. This article examines the evidence related to ECG screening in athletes and presents a contemporary model for primary prevention of SCD in sport.
Drezner et al. (Thu,) conducted a review in Sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening was evaluated. Electrocardiogram screening for sudden cardiac death prevention in athletes has growing evidence, though concerns regarding false-positives, cost-effectiveness, and healthcare resources remain.
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